In addition to prayers meant to be intoned at the start of each Waldorf school day, Steiner wrote other prayers for his followers to use. These, too, sometimes show up in Waldorf schools. [See, e.g., "He Went to Waldorf", section 1, subsection 4.] Here are some samples. (Steiner usually did not supply titles for his prayers; I have added the titles shown below.)

— R.R.

A Grace

The plant roots quicken in the night of the earth,

The leaves unfold through the might of the air,

The fruit grows ripe through the power of the sun.

So quickens the soul in the shrine of the heart,

And man’s spirit unfolds in the light of the world,

So ripens man’s strength in the glory of God.

And root and leaf and the ripe fruit’s blessing

Support the life of men on earth;

And soul and spirit upward pressing

May raise themselves in thanks to God. 

Amen.

— Rudolf Steiner, on p. 44 of PRAYERS AND GRACES 

(Floris Books, 1996), compiled by Michael Jones.

A Prayer for the Dead

Hear our soul's request

Sent to Thee in deepest trust.

We need here for work on earth

Strength and power from spirit lands

For which we thank dead friends.

— Rudolf Steiner, PRAYERS AND GRACES, p. 57.

A Prayer for Strength

The Soul's longings are like seeds,

Out of which deeds of will are growing

And life's fruits are ripening.

I can feel my destiny and my destiny finds me.

I can feel my star and my star finds me.

I can feel my aims and my aims are finding me.

The World and my soul are one great unity.

Life grows brighter around me

Life becomes harder for me

Life will be richer within me.

— Rudolf Steiner, PRAYERS AND GRACES, p. 74.

The Nine Ranks of Gods

In the weaving of the ether

Man's web of destiny

Is received by Angels, Archangels, Archai.

Into the astral world

The just consequences of man's earthly life

Die into Exousiai, Dynameis, Kyriotetes.

In the essence of their deeds

The honest creations of man's earthly life

Are resurrected in Thrones, Cherubim, and Seraphim.

— Rudolf Steiner, PRAYERS AND GRACES, p. 62. 

Although Anthroposophical prayers are often addressed to "God" or "God's Spirit," in fact Anthroposophy is polytheistic, recognizing many ranks of gods rather than a single Lord of Creation.

Shown above is a detail from a painting at the Anthroposophical headquarters, depicting the activity of the Spirits of Form and the creation of human senses. Steiner taught that there are nine ranks of gods. Spirits of Form are gods of the sixth rank. 

[R.R. sketch, 2014, based on a painting by Gerard Wagner, 

based on indications given by Rudolf Steiner. 

See THE GOETHEANUM CUPOLA MOTIFS OF RUDOLF STEINER 

(SteinerBooks, 2011), p. 55. 

Wagner's painting is multi-colored; 

my sketch is black and white, with a tint added.]

◊

For more on Anthroposophic polytheism, 

see "Polytheism".

For more about Anthroposophical prayers,

please see "Power Words". 

Steiner wrote many meditations for his followers to use. The most important is the Foundation Stone Meditation, which Steiner said came to him ”out of the will of the spiritual world.” He offered the meditation to guide his followers as they undertook the supremely important task of establishing the General Anthroposophical Society, the central body of worldwide Anthroposophy, headquartered at the Goetheanum. [See Sergei O. Prokofieff, THE FOUNDATION STONE MEDITATION (Temple Lodge Publishing, 2006).]

This lengthy meditation ends in what is explicitly a prayer, addressing Christ (the Sun God) and asking for blessings:

Godly Light,

Christ-Sun,

Warm

Our hearts,

Enlighten

Our heads —

That good may come,

What we

From hearts found,

What we

From heads

Direct with single will. 

WARM AND WOOLLY? 

An anthroposophical experiment.

By Kristín A. Sandberg and Trond K.O. Kristoffersen

The Steiner movement appears ever so charming: Postman Pat’s Greendale meets the musical Hair. With its funny architecture, natural materials, soft colours and organic food they appear to be an important, valuable alternative for people who hold a child centred view of development and want only the best for their children. Green values and art! If only that were true!

However, all that glistens is not gold.

...It is a human right to believe in angels, demons and the divine visions of one single person ... The Steiner-movement bases its experiment on Rudolf Steiner’s occult visions found in the passing phase from sleep to awakening. They choose to hold obscure [i.e., conceal] their religious foundation and secure 85% state funding for an alternative science of education, even though their pedagogical methods and their whole worldview is faith-based.

The Steiner-school presents its pedagogy as independent of their religious views. This is, in fact, contrary to the actual praxis and the teachings of Rudolf Steiner himself:

“It is obvious that knowledge of the human being must be the basis for a teacher's work; that being so, he must acquire this knowledge for himself, and the natural thing will be that he acquires it through Anthroposophy. If, therefore, we are asked what the basis of a new method of education should be, our answer is: Anthroposophy must be that basis. But how many people there are, even in our own circles, who try to disclaim Anthroposophy as much as possible, and to propagate an education without letting it be known that Anthroposophy is at the back of it." [1]

...R. Steiner made the soul a subject of research. His research, however, was by no means scientific, in the sense we know it. Steiner had, as far as we know, no children. He never undertook any educational scientific research and he never actually taught children. Steiner teachers call this Spiritual Science. R. Steiner maintained that there were people living at the same time as the dinosaurs, and that these people were incorporeal. These revelations underpin the teaching of Steiner teachers, implying that they have a conviction that the development of the child is a microcosm of the historical development of humankind. They believe the pupils have been reincarnated from previous lives. This entails the need for children to learn about historical events at the right time so that their subconscious recognizes them from their previous lives. 

The Steiner Schools claim they bring up children to be free. According to R. Steiner, and Steiner teachers themselves, anthroposophy is the only way to obtain true freedom. The so-called “experiment” of the Steiner movement exists in a very hierarchical world of ideas. The true freedom will enable you to free yourself from the vices preventing your advancement in your earthly lives. Steiner’s thoughts about reincarnation imply also the rather interesting observation that European culture, funnily enough, is seen as more advanced than other cultures. African and Asian cultures have not, as yet, reached the higher evolvement of enlightenment. But beware! This is nobody’s fault; we’ve all been there. It’s just one of those things.

We shall not dwell upon what Steiner claims about the Indians and the Jews here and now. But according to Steiner’s spiritual science some races are more developed than others due to their geographical placement on earth.

The Steiner School’s idea of differentiated teaching rests upon the teacher’s analysis of the child’s process of incarnation.  This can lead to most interesting experiences for the child and the parents. If, for instance, the child does not place their foot down firmly, it means the child probably was superficial in his/ her previous life. [2]

Steiner teachers refer to children with ADHD or Aspergers syndrome as children with difficulties incarnating. That is, somehow a beautiful image, but oh so open to analysis... The child with ADHD is a part of the millennium mythology and struggles with forces of death (Luciferic forces). Not so beautiful, perhaps? It is ever so possible Ritalin is not the ultimate answer for all these children, but as a parent you should know that eurythmy (magical movements stimulating body and soul) seek to help your child to incarnate, and that learning difficulties or Special Educational Needs are seen as difficulties inherited from a previous life. Why does the journalist not ask about these things? 

The worldview of the Steiner movement is truly experimental! Orchards and organic food are far more mainstream. Anthroposophical medicine too bases itself on an epistemy that is an alternative to a Western biological outlook; holistically alluring. Therefore head lice, measles and whooping cough flower epidemically in these communities. All is part of the development of the soul. Freedom? Experiment? They speak of children as souls with different, but mapped personalities, as if the soul itself is in fact a scientific matter only the anthroposophists can truly understand.

...Funny, isn’t it, that these Steiner Schools, unlike any other Norwegian or Swedish school, start each day with a religious prayer!

But is it always this religious? Always. Not outspoken, not declared, but always implied. In all the rituals, the celebrations, the decorations and in the teachers’ views on child development. [Nowegian Waldorf Critics, http://waldorfcritics.org/active/articles.html#WalGen] 

◊

Footnotes for "Warm and Woolly?"

[1] Rudolf Steiner, THE KINGDOM OF CHILDHOOD, GA 311, trans. Helen Fox. (Anthroposophic Press, 1982-1988), pp. 19-20.

[2] Ibid. 

Led by their teachers, students in the lower grades at Waldorf schools often recite graces before snacks and meals. Here's a grace that is widely used in Waldorf schools today:

Earth who gave to us this food:

Sun who made it ripe and good:

Dear Sun

Dear Earth

By you we live,

To you our loving thanks we give.*

— Christian Morgenstern, 

on p. 38 of PRAYERS AND GRACES 

(Floris Books, 1996), compiled by Michael Jones.

It's a sweet little prayer — a bit pagan, but sweet.

◊

* Here's a variation that is sometimes substituted:

Mother Earth who gives to us this food,

Father Sun who makes it ripe and good,

Blessed Earth, Blessed Sun,

We’ll not forget what you have done.

In Anthroposophical lore, Father Sun is, in effect, the Sun God, while Mother Earth is the Earth Goddess. [See "Sun God" and "Goddess".]

Rudolf Steiner prescribed a special prayer to be used by Waldorf teachers (see, e.g., Rudolf Steiner, THE CHILD'S CHANGING CONSCIOUSNESS (Anthroposophic Press, 1996), p. 142).

Various versions are used. Here is one:

Dear God, may it be, as far as my own personal ambitions 

is concerned [sic], that I completely forget myself, 

and may Christ make true in me the Pauline word, 

"Not I, but Christ in me." 

So that the Holy Spirit may hold sway in the teacher. 

This is the true trinity.

[http://www.michaelhouseschool.co.uk/content/uploads/2012/09/Newsletter-23rd-May-2013-checked.pdf]

Here is another version:

O God, grant that in regard to my personal ambitions 

I may entirely obliterate myself, 

And Christ make true within me 

The words of Paul:

"Not I, but the Christ in me"

That the Holy Spirit hold sway in the teacher.

This is the true Trinity.

[http://www.waldorflibrary.org/journals/15-gateways/137-springsummer-2007-issue-52-the-inner-life-and-work-of-the-teacher] 

WALDORF SONGS

If Waldorf schools were not religious institutions, we would be surprised to find images like these in THE WALDORF SONG BOOK (Floris Press, 1992), by Brien Masters. (I have compiled them. The three images appear on three separate pages of the songbook.)

THE WALDORF SONG BOOK is not exclusively a collection of hymns. Many of the songs in the book have no direct connection to religion. But more than a few songs in the book are intensely religious. Some, indeed, can only be called hymns.

Here are some titles and lines from these songs:

LET US WITH GLADSOME MIND

Let us with gladsome mind 

Praise the Lord, for he is kind.

◊

LOVE IS COME AGAIN

Forth he came at Easter, like the risen grain,

He that for three days in the grave had lain.

◊

ON THIS OUR GLORIOUS EASTERTIDE

On this our glorious Eastertide, 

Alleluia!,  [1] 

We sing of Him who for us has died.

◊

ONCE ON A BRIGHT SUMMER'S DAY

While John baptiz'd Jesus, came God's voice so free:

"On this day have I begotten Thee."

◊

ALLELUIA

Alleluia,

 Alleluia, 

Alleluia, 

Alleluia...  [2]

◊

I BIND UNTO MYSELF TODAY

(St. Patrick's Hymn)

I bind unto myself today

The strong name of the Trinity.

◊

FOR ALL THE SAINTS

For all the saints who from their labours rest,

Who thee by faith before the world confest,

Thy name, O Jesus, be for ever blest.

◊

TOMORROW SHALL BE MY DANCING DAY

For thirty pence Judas me sold,

His covetousness for to advance ...

Up to heaven did I ascend

Where now I dwell in sure substance

On the right hand of God, that man

May come unto the general dance.  [3]

◊

UNCONQUERED HERO OF THE SKIES

Thine aid we pray the foe to slay, Saint Michael.  [4]

◊

ALLELUIA FOR ALL THINGS

Of all created things, of earth and sky,

Of God and man, things lowly and high,

We sing this day with thankful heart and say,

Alleluia, alleluia.  [5]

◊

GLORY TO THE, MY GOD, THIS NIGHT

Glory to thee, my God, this night

For all the blessings of the light.  [6]

◊

SANCTUS

Sanctus, 

sanctus, 

sanctus, 

sanctus.  [7]

◊

EASTER DAY

Alleluia, alleluia:

The Lord of all things lives anew,

And all his works are rising too,

In nova juventute.  [8]

◊

ST FRANCIS' HYMN

O most high almighty good Lord God,

To thee belong praise, glory, honour, and all blessing.

◊

MICHAELMAS TIME

Michaelmas time! Michaelmas time! 

Time is turning under the plough,

Under the stars, under the signs.  [9]

◊

DEO GRATIAS

Deo, Deo gratias  [10]

To all men of good will;

There shall be peace on earth for them;

Amen, Amen.

◊

LIGHT EVER GLADSOME

Light ever gladsome,

Of the eternal splendour supernal,

Holy and true.

Born of the Father, blest we adore thee,

Falling before thee, Christ Jesus.

◊

THE LORD MY PASTURES SHALL PREPARE

The Lord my pastures shall prepare,

And feed me with a shepherd's care.

◊

O GOD OF HEAVEN, HEAR MY PRAISES

O God in heaven, hear my praises;

Deep in my soul Thy mighty strength I feel.

◊

LORD OF THE UNIVERSE, HEAR MY PRAYER

Om bhur bhuv(a) svaha....  [11]

◊

GLORIOUS APOLLO

Glorious Apollo from on high beheld us,

Wand'ring to find a temple for his praise...

Sing we in harmony Apollo's praise.  [12]

◊

I GAZE OUT O'ER THE MOONLIT EARTH

He came, the Holy Child, and lay

in a manger cradle...

O light, once born in earth's dark night,

Make bright for us the path we tread.  [13]

◊

COME AND SING THIS CHRISTMAS MORN

Come and sing this Christmas morn,

Of the Lord of earth now born...

Gloria in excelsis Deo.  [14] 

THE SECOND WALDORF SONG BOOK (Floris Press, 1993), also compiled by Brien Masters, offers more of the same. Again, not all of the songs in this book are hymns or prayers, but a striking number are.

MICHAELMAS SONG

With hearts aglow men mark the changing fresh world,

When from the stars Michael’s spear is hurled.

Sleepers awake, hark to the word of the world,

Breaking old Summer’s dull drowsy spell.

Show us the way, go with thy spear before,

Forge us the future, Thou Michael.  [15]

◊

SANCTUS

Sanctus, sanctus, 

Sanctus, sanctus, 

Sanctus, sanctus 

Dominus Deus Sabaoth, 

Dominus Deus Sabaoth.  [16]

◊

SANS DAY CAROL

Now as white as the milk;

Who was wrapp’d up in silk.

And Mary bore Jesus Christ,

And the first tree in the greenwood, 

It was the holly.

Holly, holly.

The first tree in the wood was the holly.  [17]

◊

STILL, STILL, STILL

Great, great, great, 

Is the light that shines on earth;

For God hath left the heavens’ high throne,

On earth to dwell, for Man to share glory.  [18]

◊

THE SEVEN JOYS OF MARY

The first good joy that Mary had,

It was the joy of one;

To see her own son, Jesus Christ,

When he was first her son, 

Good man, and blessed may he be,

Both Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

To all eternity.

◊

THE MANTLE OF ST. JOHN

The mantle of St. John

On the Baptist’s Day,

Morning breaks the hills upon

The mantle of the Baptist,

The mantle of the Baptist’s Day;

Come forth the day of the Baptist,

For the mantle of St. John.  [19]

◊

MARIA IM DORNWALD

Thus Mary waited for her child,

Kyrie Eleison:

The thoughts she pondered in her heart 

Bridg’d heaven and earth, so long apart:

Jesus ex Maria.  [20]

◊

THREE KINGS OF ORIENT

Glorious now, behold him arise,

King and God, and sacrifice

Heav’n sings alleluia,

Alleluia, the earth replies:

O star of wonder, start of night,

Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading still proceeding,

Guide us with they perfect light.  [21] 

◊

ST. PATRICK’S BREASTPLATE

I bind unto myself today

The power of God to hold and lead,

His eye to see, his might to stay,

His ear to harken to my need.

The wisdom of my God to teach,

His hand to guide.,his shield to ward;

The word of God to give me speech,

His heav’nly host to be my guard.  [22]

◊

ZACCHAEUS AND THE SYCAMORE TREE 

And as the Lord came by,

The beauty in his eyes

He raised towards the shade,

Beneath the sun-filled skies.

“Zacchaeus, come below

To welcome me as guest

For in your heart I’ll lodge

To bring you joy and rest.”  [23]

◊

SANKT MICHAELS LIED

The heavenly banner thou dost bear, Saint Michael;

The angels do thine armor wear;

Thine aid we pray,

The foe to slay,

Saint Michael.  [24]

◊

PASSIONTIDE CAROL FROM ODENWALD

O Son, dearest Son

O dearest Jesu mine,

What will become of you on Sunday?

On Sunday I shall be king

And decked in royal robes

And strewn, strewn with palms.  [25]

◊

CHORUS FROM TELEMANN’S ST LUKE PASSION

Now sorrow wring the heart with grief!

Sorrow, sorrow now!

Now sorrow wring the heart with grief!

He who once gave the blind new vision

Is now the victim of derision;

Thorn-press’d, thorn-press’d his kingly reign so brief.

Oh sorrow wring the heart with grief!

Sorrow, sorrow now!

Now sorrow wring the heart with grief!

He whose salt tears for all people were flowing,

Now with his cross to Golgotha going;

He for whose blood the mob was baying,

For their forgiveness now is praying,

Nailed to the tree without life nor leaf,

To the tree, too the tree without life or leaf.

Such sorrow wrings the heart with grief!

Sorrow, sorrow now!

Now sorrow wring the heart with grief!  [26]

◊

SACRED SONG

When I hold Him ever,

When He’s truly mine,

When my heart, forgetting never,

Trusts till death His faith divine,  [27]

Sorrow cannot hold me,

Then devotion, joy and love enfold me.

◊

THE SUN IN EASTER RISING

So sing the triumph of our Lord:

The word made flesh; the flesh made word;

Made word with spirit winging;

Earth like a star up-springing.

Empty tomb in the rising light,

Our sleep awaking:

Halleluia, Halleluia, Halleluia.  [28]

◊

PSALM 102

Thank ye the Lord on His high Throne,

And praise his holy name;

Goodness and strength

Flow from His hand;

He at the end of time will stand;

His chosen folk He then will claim.

Halleluia, Halleluia, Halleluia, Halleluia, Halleluia.  [29]

◊

ECCE SACERDOS

Ecce sacerdos magnus, 

Ecce sacerdos magnus, 

Qui in diebus suis, 

Qui in diebus suis placuit Deo.  [30]

◊

SANTA LUCCIA

Here on the waters,

Bathed in the moonlight,

Zephyrs stir softly,

Waves gently lapping;

Yet never doubting, 

Trustful and trusting,

Santa Luccia,

Santa Luccia,

Santa Luccia.  [31]

◊

THE DESTRUCTION OF SENACHERIB

And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail,

And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal;

And the Might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword,

Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord.  [32]

Footnotes for the Foregoing Songs/Hymns

[1] "Alleluia," a variant of "hallelujah," means "God be praised."

[2] The entire text of this song consists of the word "Alleluia" repeated 10 times.

[3] Judas is the apostle who betrayed Christ, leading to Christ's Crucifixion and subsequent Resurrection on Easter. In this song, spoken in the first person by Christ, the god came to Earth and then ascended in order to lead humanity into the general or universal celebration involving all redeemed beings and gods. "Sure substance" is eternal, redeemed holy essence.

[4] Some Christians pray to various saints and other beings (Angels, Archangels, etc.) in addition to God. Other Christians consider this heretical. Anthroposophists pray to many gods, who include virtually all beings higher than man — Angels, Archangels, Norse gods, etc. Here Waldorf students are being led in a prayer to Michael, the Archangel of the Sun. In Anthroposophical doctrine, Michael is Christ's champion — Michael is the spiritual warrior who fights on behalf of the Sun God. The "foe" is often taken to be Ahriman and/or Lucifer, but in his most dreadful form he is Sorat, the Antichrist, otherwise known as the Demon of the Sun.

[5] This song was written by Anthroposophist A. C. Harwood, who founded the first Waldorf school in England — significantly named Michael Hall.

[6] In Anthroposophical doctrine, the "light" is the occult knowledge made accessible to us by the Sun God and His champion, Michael. [See "Sun God", "Michael", "Was He Christian?" and "Gnosis".]

[7] "Sanctus" means "holy." This is the entire text of this song.

[8] "In nova juventute" means "In the new [or young] age." For Anthroposophists, this means the new evolutionary period begun by the actions of the Sun God after he came to Earth.

[9] Michaelmas is a major festival in Waldorf schools because of Michael's association with Christ. Note how in this song, we find indications of the astrological beliefs that are so important in Anthroposophy: Michaelmas comes with the annual turning of time, returning previous years' stars and signs to ascendancy ("under the stars, under the signs"). [See, e.g., "Astrology" and "Star Power".]

[10] "Deo gratias" means "thanks be to God." Note that there will be peace on Earth for all the good men. The evil men, however, must be scourged in what Steiner called "The War of All Against All." [See "All v. All"]. Good humans will have no real peace until that terrible war is over.

[11] This song is identified as an ancient Asian Indian chant. Anthroposophy includes many doctrines taken from Gnostic Christianity alongside doctrines taken (generally by way of Theosophy) from Hinduism. Thus, THE WALDORF SONG BOOK also includes a song about karma or destiny: THE VEIL OF DESTINY IS DRAWN. Such songs, like the next one, may seem to simply reflect a commendable openness to world cultures. But they are also expressions of specific Anthroposophical beliefs. [See, e.g., "Karma".]

[12] Apollo is the Sun God. Thus, he is the same divine being as Christ. For most Christians, such a statement is blasphemous; but it is accepted doctrine among Anthroposophists. In Waldorf belief, a song sung in praise of Apollo is actually a hymn sung to Christ, the Sun God.

[13] Note again that Christ is equated with light. The Sun brings us light, and the Sun God brings us the "light" of occult wisdom. 

[14] In Anthroposophical doctrine, Christ the Sun God became Lord of the Earth when His blood flowed into the Earth at the Crucifixion. According to how one interprets various Anthroposophical texts, Christ thereafter either remained on the Earth, or ascended to Heaven, or returned to the Sun. The Christian doctrine, of course, is that Christ ascended to Heaven. "Gloria in excelsis Deo" means "Glory to God in the highest".

[15] The “word of the world” is God’s Word, the Bible.

[16] The lyrics, translated from Latin, are "The Holy One, Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts, Lord God of Hosts.” The “hosts” are the legions of Angels or, in Anthroposophical doctrine, gods.

[17] "Sans Day" is a reference to St. Day, the place in Cornwall where this carol was first sung. The Druids celebrated holly as a symbol of fertility and eternal life. Early Christians adopted this, making holly a central Christmas ornament. The pointed holly leaves are said to represent the crown of thorns worn by Jesus on his way to Calvary, and the red berries represent Jesus’s blood, shed at Calvary. In Germany, holly is called Christdorn, or the thorn of Christ.

[18] Steiner taught that Christ descended from the Sun to impart the “Christ impulse” — an energy and direction for mankind’s further evolution. We will "share glory" when we enact this impulse. According to Steiner, man is the center of the universe and will evolve to become God the Father.

[19] The term “St. John” is usually applied to the apostle, John, but it is also sometimes applied to John the Baptist. The Baptist prepared the way for a greater spiritual leader: Jesus. "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.'" [John 1:23] The Baptist’s day, or the feast of St. John, is June 24.

[20] The title, in German, means Mary in the Forest of Thorns. The Latin phrase “Kyrie Eleison” means “Lord, have mercy”; “Jesus ex Maria” means “Jesus, out of [or born of] Mary.”

[21] This is a traditional Christmas carol, telling of the three kings who followed the Star to Bethlehem to discover the infant Jesus. Steiner taught that the East once offered mankind great spiritual wisdom, but Eastern teachings have been supplanted by higher wisdom found now in the West, specifically in the gnostic, Rosicrucian/Anthroposophical doctrines originating in Germany (i.e., Steiner's own teachings).

[22] St. Patrick was the bishop and patron saint of Ireland. He brought Christianity to the Picts and Anglo-Saxons, but he was in constant danger of being martyred by Irish pagans. Patrick’s armor was his faith in God.

[23] This song relates an incident from Luke 19:4. To see over a crowd in hopes of catching a glimpse of Jesus, Zacchaeus — a tax collector — climbed a tree. Jesus called him down and befriended him, which shocked many in the crowd since tax collectors were generally reviled.

[24] This is yet another hymn that addresses St. Michael. The title, in German, means Saint Michael's Song.

[25] Passiontide consists of the last two weeks of Lent — the period of fasting and penitence before Easter. Palm fronds are carried on Palm Sunday to commemorate the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Odenwald is a mountain range in Germany.

[26] In Christianity, the Passion is Christ’s suffering before and during his Crucifixion. This song relates the Apostle Luke’s version of the Passion. Christ, who cured the blind, is the victim of a howling mob; bearing the cross, with a crown of thorns on His head, He is mocked as He staggers toward the place of His execution. But even as He is nailed to the cross, He asks God to forgive the people, for they know not what they do. [Luke 23:34] Golgotha is Calvary; Steiner preferred “Golgotha” to the more common “Calvary.”

[27] “He” is Jesus.

[28] In some Christian teachings, Christ is considered the Word of God made flesh — the physical incarnation of the contents of the Bible. Christ is also associated with light: He brings us the Light of God’s Word. The reference to the Sun has extra meaning in Anthroposophy, since Steiner taught that Christ is the Sun God. The tomb is Jesus's burial place; it became empty when Jesus rose from the dead.

[29] Most holy songs used in Waldorf schools are distinctly Christian, but some are not. This is a relatively rare instance of an Old Testament — i.e., Hebrew — text sung by Waldorf students.

[30] Translated from Latin, the lyrics are “Behold the high priest, Behold the great priest, Who in his days, Who in his days pleased God.” It may not be irrelevant to note that Waldorf teachers believe they fill a priestly office. "The position of teacher becomes a kind of priestly office, a ritual performed at the altar of universal human life." — Rudolf Steiner, THE ESSENTIALS OF EDUCATION (Anthroposophic Press, 1997), p. 23.

[31] Santa Luccia or Lucia is St. Lucy, a Christian martyr. The story of her physical mutilation is, like the stories of many saints, harrowing. Her feast day is December 13.

[32] Senacherib was an Assyrian king who tried to conquer Jerusalem but was thwarted by the Angel of the Lord [2 Kings 18:13]. Baal was a pagan fertility god. This is another song based on an Old Testament story. Such stories are stressed in the 3rd grade Waldorf curriculum; third graders are deemed to stand at the evolutionary level of the ancient Hebrews. The Waldorf interpretation of Old Testament stories is often surprising, veering far from the Bible. [See “Old Testament”.] 

WALDORF GRACES

The bookstore at Rudolf Steiner College identifies the following as one of their most popular offerings: WALDORF SCHOOL TABLE GRACES, compiled by Casse Waldman Forczek (Konocti Springs Studio, 2012).

Most parents probably would not object to having their children recite innocuous-seeming graces in school. The matter may seem somewhat different, however, when you note that children in Waldorf schools are continually led in prayers, graces, and hymns — throughout the day, week, month, and year. Waldorf schools are religious institutions, pervaded by a distinctive spiritualistic atmosphere. These schools are suitable for your children only if you subscribe to the distinctive religious beliefs embodied in the schools — the beliefs of Anthroposophy.

Here are some of the graces given in 

WALDORF SCHOOL TABLE GRACES:

◊

This food was gathered for our

Eating

Food from the Sun's eternal

Greeting

We break this bread together

With hearts aware,

Not bread alone

But God's Life

& Love we share.

— A. C. Harwood, p. 6.

◊

Earth who gave to us this food

Sun who made it ripe and good:

Dear Sun

Dear Earth

By you we live,

To you our loving thanks we give.

— Christian Morgenstern, p. 7.

◊

We thank the water,

earth and air

For all the healthy

Powers they bear

We thank the people,

Loving and good

Who grow & cook

Our daily food.

And now at last

We thank the sun,

The light and life

For everyone.

— origin unknown, p. 13.

◊

The plant seeds are quickened

in the night of the earth

The green herbs are sprouting

through the might of the Air

And all the fruits are ripened

by the power of the Sun.

So quickens the Soul

in the shrine of the Heart

So blossoms Spirit-power

in the Light of the World

So ripens Man's strength

in the Glory of God.

— adapted from Rudolf Steiner, pp. 14-15. 

PARTING THOUGHT

Behold the Sun

At midnight...

...The heights reveal

The Gods' eternal Word...

...Living in darkness,

Create a Sun....

— Rudolf Steiner,

START NOW!

(SteinerBooks, 2004),

 p. 165.